Precision Agriculture Research Associate *Havre, MT*

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27156

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Brief Position Overview

The Precision Agriculture Lab at Montana State University’s Northern Agricultural Research Center ( MSU - NARC ) in Havre, MT, seeks a highly motivated and organized Precision Agriculture Research Associate to oversee daily laboratory operations, field research trials, and data analytics workflows.

Serving as the primary field researcher, the successful candidate will manage field trial data collection, design agronomic trials, perform statistical analyses, and draft technical reports and extension deliverables. This role supports research and extension programs focused on optimizing crop inputs, site‑specific weed and pest management, satellite and aerial remote sensing, and spatial variability across dryland cropping systems in Montana.

Position Number

Position Number 4C5015

Department

Department AES NARC

Division

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

Contract Type LOA

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The Northern Agricultural Research Center consists of 3,000 acres at the main facility with an additional 3,960 acres of grazing land located in the nearby Bear Paw Mountains. The 3,000 acres on the main facility supports both crop and livestock research activities which is distinctly unique to MSU . The research center has recently completed $2.8 million of construction and renovation, including a new $2.1 million office/laboratory complex. In the spring of 2014, two center pivots suitable for research were installed. A modern research scale greenhouse was funded and designed with construction to be completed in the near future. The research center, when fully staffed, consists of four faculty, two operations managers, research scientist, master’s level technician, and 12 permanent support personnel. A local advisory board made up of area producers and industry representatives from the five surrounding counties, provides guidance on NARC research priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lab & Field Management: Manage daily lab operations, field equipment, sensor inventory, and field schedules. Coordinate, train, and supervise research technicians and student workers in accordance with university protocols and safety standards.
• Experimental Design & Trial Execution: Lead the planning, spatial layout, and field implementation of small-plot and on-farm precision agriculture research trials.
• Data Management & Analytics: Manage spatial and tabular field datasets. Perform rigorous statistical analysis (linear/mixed models, spatial statistics) using R or Python to evaluate agronomic and technological performance.
• Targeted Spray & Precision Equipment Operations: Support field operations involving smart/targeted spray systems, precision applicators, digital soil mapping, and field robotics.
• Develop and implement research studies that support precision agriculture practices to enhance farming and livestock efficiency and profitability in Montana.
• Interact effectively with farmers and ranchers on on-farm experiments to test and refine precision agriculture techniques.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through extension activities, including workshops, field days, and publications.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree in Precision Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Spatial Sciences, or a closely related field, or a Bachelor’s degree in one of these fields plus at least three years of relevant professional experience in precision agriculture, agronomy, or agricultural data analysis.
• Familiarity with remote sensing technologies and satellite imagery analysis.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis using software such as R or Python.
• Effective communication skills (both written and oral) with researchers, educators, research center personnel, and producers.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Targeted Spray Operations: Hands‑on experience with targeted/smart spot‑spraying technology, variable‑rate applicators, or prec